Four Types of Physical Challenges that Can Get Gradually Worse

By Lucy Andrews DNP, RN, MS | September 3, 2019 | Comments Off on Four Types of Physical Challenges that Can Get Gradually Worse

Your elderly loved one is likely to encounter at least a few different physical challenges as she grows older. Some of them might come about more rapidly than either of you expect and that can mean you need to get creative in how you help her to face them on a daily basis.

Elderly Care Oakmont CA – Four Types of Physical Challenges that Can Get Gradually Worse

Incontinence Problems

Urinary incontinence is an inconvenience at first, especially for your senior. But as she grows older and her health changes, incontinence can be an even bigger issue for her. Memory problems and mobility problems can each compound the situation, too, making it more difficult for your senior to get to the bathroom when she needs it. She may also need more help with cleaning up after an accident, changing clothes, and so much more.

Joint Issues

Arthritis and other joint issues are progressive ailments. They become worse over time and might be exacerbated by other health conditions your senior is facing. Your elderly family member may need to rely on you and others more often in order to do even the simplest of activities, like brushing her teeth or getting dressed. This can make her feel embarrassed or even angry, which is another aspect she’ll need to get past.

Difficulties with Mobility

Besides arthritis, your elderly family member might have other trouble getting around. At first, this might mean that she needs to be more careful as she’s walking or she needs to use a cane. Over time, this can worsen to the point that she needs to use a walker or even a wheelchair to get around. This decrease in mobility might mean that she needs additional help not only getting around, but also making sure that her environment is suited for the more involved assistive devices she’s using.

Trouble Driving

These issues and more, including cognitive changes, can all contribute to your senior being unable to drive any longer. This can create some serious emotional issues for her, because driving is often associated with remaining independent and being able to live on her own. Having additional options for transportation can help to alleviate some of those fears for her.

Most of these situations will likely fall to you to manage as your senior’s caregiver. But it helps considerably for you to have another layer of help, too. Elderly care providers can help your senior with these issues and more, especially when you can’t be there with her.

In 1988, after working as a clinical nurse in the University Health System at UC San Francisco, Lucy Andrews started understanding home care.

She became a discharge planner and immediately fell in love with the concept of home care and the autonomous clinical practice it affords nurses. Dr. Lucy was hooked and has been a strong supporter of home care ever since.Believing people need advocates in healthcare systems, she has championed that cause across the acute care and post-acute care setting.

Dr. Lucy has worked in every aspect of home care from Medicare Certified, DME, Infusion, Hospice and finally Private Duty/Private Pay services. She also works as a home care consultant across the country and as a legal nurse consultant for the home care industry.

Having worked in all areas of home care, Dr. Lucy has a well-rounded perspective of the challenges facing patients, families and the home care industry, and as a provider she advocates for patients through the maze of health care services. Dr. Lucy celebrated over 37 years as a nurse and patient advocate.

Dr. Lucy has a Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing from Lewis University, Romeoville, Illinois.In 1994, she received her Masters of Science in Health Service Administration from St. Mary's University, Moraga, California. Dr. Lucy received her Doctor of Nursing Practice awarded in 2016, graduating with Distinction and a 4.0 GPA.

She did her doctoral work on the global dementia crisis, aging and prevention strategies for healthy living. Developed dementia and Alzheimer's disease plans for aging patients leaving the hospital setting or entering long-term care or home health and hospice environments. She also developed a specialized program for those at risk for dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

In 1992, Dr. Lucy was designated CAHSAH Certified Home Care Administrator in the inaugural offering of this designation through the California Association for Health Services at Home (CAHSAH).

She is the founder and CEO of Creative Solutions Home Care Consulting Services and At Your Service Nursing & Home Care, a concierge nursing & home care agency that provides the services she believes are essential for seniors to age in place.She offers a higher level of care allowing people to be in their own homes with an emphasis on independence, safety, and quality of life.

Dr. Lucy is the Vice Chair of the Board of Directors for the National Association for Home Care and Hospice (NAHC) and sits on the Board of Directors for California Association for Health Services at Home (CAHSAH).

She has served on the boards for both state and national board associations, and is currently on the following boards and committees: Board of Directors, California State Association for Health Services at Home (CAHSAH), 2002-present, National Association for Home Care and Hospice (NAHC's) Private Duty Home Care Association Director, and multiple state and national home care committees.

Dr. Lucy goes to Washington, DC, several times a year to advocate for senior services and home care issues. She was past Commissioner for the Sonoma Commission on Human Rights.She is past chair of the local Senior Advocacy Services.